British Actress Blog

The Wings of the Dove (1997)

Score: 7/10

Director: Iain Softley

Stars: Helena Bonham Carter, Linus Roache, Alex Jennings, Alison Elliott, Charlotte Rampling.

Synopsis: An impoverished woman weaves a devious plot to acquire major wealth at the cost of her friends trust.

Review: A woman named Kate Croy is living in poverty when one day her father arranges a deal for her to become the ward of a rich woman named Maude ( Charlotte Rampling ). The stipulation for Kate Croy to receive wealth is that she must never again have any kind of contact with her own father, she must stay away from her love interest Merton ( Linus Roache ), and she must also sever all of her old ties or she will not receive any wealth and live a penniless life. Kate being a cunning master mind devises a way to turn the tables on her guardian and manipulates everyone around her to get what she wants no matter the cost.

Helena Bonham Carter’s performance in this movie is competent but not as charming as her other films. Her character in this movie does not leave much of an impression on you. Her character plays the young and innocent lady all the while planning her every move one step at a time.

The film focuses on the concept of manipulation. Like many of Jane Austin’s films such as Love & Friendship (2016) with Kate Beckinsale and Northanger Abbey (2007) with Felicity Jones, the main female protagonist must find a way to acquire wealth or live in poverty for the rest of her life, penniless. She does this usually through a man with resources. These films show us such a harsh and limited world that is sometimes quite depressing. Luckily most of the world has changed.

The cinematography is perfect most of the time. The shots of Venice are absolutely amazing. The lighting, set dressing, backgrounds, and wardrobe are amazing. Keep in mind that the film is available in a remastered version, which is good because this movie looks great. The remastering of the film does it great justice. This movie is a slow, subdued, and full of the old world atmosphere. Those who are fans of old English period pieces will find some interest in this film. This is an average movie.

---

More Helena Bonham Carter Films.

Cinderella (2015)

The King’s Speech (2010)

Suffragette (2015)

The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet (2013)

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)

---

Recent Posts